A fundraiser for the UO School of Law's Tom Foster scholarship, this 5k starts at Hayward Field, loops around the streets near campus, and finishes in front of the law school. Foster was a student at UO's Law School when he passed away in 1999. There will be special random prizes including theater and concert tickets and refreshments at the finish.

I also hear that the UO Duck will be there, making it worth the registration!

You can register online, at Gallagher Fitness, or day of race from 7-8a. This 5k or 10k run/walk is on paved trails through Minto Brown Park in Salem. Help out by bringing a donation of their most frequently needed items or a cell phone you no longer use (don't forget the charger). They are provided free of charge to victims or anyone in need of an emergency phone.

If your running friends all prefer different distances, you can carpool out to the Blue Lake and run your choice of a 5K Run, 5K Walk, 15K Run/Walk, or 1K kids run. (You can register online here.) Please note that carpooling is also good because the park charges $4 per car.
"The ORRC Blue Lake Runs cannot promise sunshine, although October can be a great time to run or walk at Blue Lake Park. Leaves changing colors, hot food waiting at the Finish, and events tailored to provide a race distance to suit all members of the family. Afterwards, enjoy hot dogs, cookies, free soft drinks and other goodies in the covered pavilion while you hear the race results and see if you won a prize drawing."

You've got an option of a 6 mile race, a 12 mile race, or a relay at Wanoga Snow Park near Bend, Ore. The race starts bright and early at 8a, so head down Saturday night and get your rest. Actually, if you go down Friday night, you can enjoy the trails around Bend all day on Saturday (and you've got an excuse if you don't make your time goal on Sunday)!

Here you can pick from a 5k, 10k or half marathon, plus a 1k or 2k for the kiddos. (Something to entice them to do their best: kids get a medal and goody bag!) Great prices on these races--even day of race! The 5k is only $20, the 10k only $30, and the half only $40! Stick around for the awards, as Fox 12's Andy Carson is presenting and he's not just a runner, he's a runner with a sense of humor! Register online here.

Did something come up, preventing you from running in the Portland Marathon last weekend? Well here's a chance to put your training to good use. Spokane's full marathon and marathon relay start at 8a, the half at 8:45a, and the five miler at 9a. If you like good deals, check this out: The five miler is only $10, the half only $25, and the full only $35! (More if you get the event sweatshirt.) That comes out to only about $1.34/mile for the marathon. I wish gas was that cheap!

A fund raiser for Home Life, the Great Pumpkin Run has some impressive course records that I'd love to see someone challenge this weekend. The 10k men's record of 31:54 has been held by Jamin Aasum since 1997, and Camille Herron's 37:01 has stood as the women's record since 2005. Herron also holds the women's 5k in 17:42, and Conor Holt ran an impressive 16:02 for the men's 5k course record; both of those records being set in 2006. Even if you're not anywhere close to those times (I could probably top Aasum's 10k time...in the 5k!), you could still win two round-trip air tickets from Pathfinder Travel in the race's raffle!

Their website says it all: "Experienced athletes and amateurs alike will enjoy this unique opportunity to cross the mighty Columbia River on foot during the 27th Annual Great Columbia Crossing 10K Walk/Run. Participants will start the race in Washington, cross the 4.1 mile-long Astoria-Megler Bridge - typically open to vehicle and cycle traffic only - and finish in Oregon. The longest continuous three-span through truss bridge in the world, the Astoria-Megler Bridge rises 205 feet above the river, offering a challenging incline as well as panoramic views of the the historic Astoria and Warrenton communities."

Online registration closes at noon on Tuesday, October 7th, but you can register DOR. The $30 fee covers your race registration, parking, a shuttle (since it's a point to point 10k), and a delicious lunch of clam chowder at the finish.